81:1 For the choir director: A psalm of Asaph, to be accompanied by a stringed instrument. Sing praises to God, our strength. Sing to the God of Jacob.
81:2 Sing! Beat the tambourine. Play the sweet lyre and the harp.
81:3 Blow the ram's horn at new moon, and again at full moon to call a festival!
81:4 For this is required by the decrees of Israel; it is a regulation of the God of Jacob.
81:5 He made it a law for Israel when he attacked Egypt to set us free. I heard an unknown voice say,
81:6 "Now I will take the load from your shoulders; I will free your hands from their heavy tasks.
81:7 You cried to me in trouble, and I saved you; I answered out of the thundercloud and tested your faith when there was no water at Meribah. Interlude
81:8 "Listen to me, O my people, while I give you stern warnings. O Israel, if you would only listen to me!
81:9 You must never have a foreign god; you must not bow down before a false god.
81:10 For it was I, the LORD your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it with good things.
81:11 "But no, my people wouldn't listen. Israel did not want me around.
81:12 So I let them follow their own stubborn desires, living according to their own ideas.
81:13 Oh, that my people would listen to me! Oh, that Israel would follow me, walking in my paths!
81:14 How quickly I would then subdue their enemies! How soon my hands would be upon their foes!
81:15 Those who hate the LORD would cringe before him; they would be doomed forever.
81:16 But I would feed you with the finest wheat. I would satisfy you with wild honey from the rock."
Want to give us your feedback? Suggestions?
Would like to help?
Click here to become a Patreon. Entry level is FREE:
www.patreon.com/ScriptureAwakened Thank you!